Car Shipping for College Students: How to Move Your Car to School

Heading to college across the country or coming home for summer? Shipping your car is often cheaper than driving and saves you 20+ hours of highway time. Here's the full guide.

Is Shipping a Car to College Worth It?

Let's run the numbers. Driving from New York to a California university (2,800 miles):

• Gas: ~$350 at 30 MPG and $4/gallon
• Hotels (3 nights): ~$300
• Food and incidentals: ~$150
• Time cost: 3 days of your life
• Total driving cost: ~$800

Compare that to car shipping from NYC to California at $999–$1,299. The price difference is $200–$500, but you skip 3 days of exhausting highway driving and 2,800 miles of wear on your vehicle. If you fly instead and book an affordable ticket, many students come out roughly even — or ahead.

Best Time to Book College Car Shipping

The two peak college car shipping periods are August (move-in) and May (move-out). Both overlap with peak summer moving season. Book at least 3–4 weeks in advance for August — ideally in July. For May move-out, book in April.

Student Tips for Cheaper Car Shipping

• Be flexible on dates — Campus move-in is fixed but consider shipping a week early or late for better rates
• Use open transport — Unless you have a luxury vehicle, open is safe and 40% cheaper
• Ship to a nearby location if campus access is limited — Large carriers can't always reach campus housing. Ship to a local address and drive from there.
• Empty your trunk — Carriers aren't responsible for personal items, and extra weight can add cost
• Ask about student discounts — Uwon Carriers offers discounts for college students. Mention it when requesting a quote.

Study Abroad? International Car Shipping for Students

Planning to study abroad for a semester or year? Shipping a car internationally is complex and usually not cost-effective for short stays. It's typically better to sell your current vehicle and buy locally. However, for longer-term international relocations or for students participating in exchange programs, we can discuss international options — call us for details.